Trojans Still the Major Threat to Online Security

Recently, a South Korean provider of integrated solutions and services naming AhnLab released its report for November 2010. The study highlighted that computer Trojans are still the biggest danger to the online security.

According to the report, computer Trojans were the most reported malicious code during November 2010 accounting for a rate of 46.1%. Further, during October 2010, the malicious code was responsible for nearly 76% of leading new codes observed during October 2010.

This study was based on a sampling study of netizens in Korea. The study revealed that Trojans were the most prominent ones amongst the list of 20 leading malicious codes during October 2010. On the other hand, worms and viruses accounted for only 12.7% and 12.1% of the malicious codes, respectively.

Amongst the revealed Trojans, Win-Trojan/OvertLs4.Gen, Win-Trojan/Agent, Win-Trojan/Onlinegamehack, and Win-Trojan/Downloader were the leading malicious code categories with the majority of reports. Further, Win-Trojan/Agent.36864.BSD was identified as the most reported new malicious code with overall 127,643 or 17.2% reports.

Furthermore, according to the company's report, there was a temporary sharp increase in the number of reports on Win32/Parite and Win32/Palevo.worm.Gen malware infections. Thus, while Parite hit the highest mark on October 15, 2010 and slowly declined, Palevo, another malware, reached the highest point on October 7, 2010.

Besides, owing to the fact that, Stuxnet is such a big name, malware writers who wish to circulate malware are utilizing it for executing malicious activities. AhnLab highlights that they have found a free Stuxnet deletion tool (Win-Trojan/Deltree.75776.C), which is originally a piece of malware. The study highlights that, it alleges to be offered by Microsoft.

Furthermore, the recent report discusses regarding an e-mail message that was made to appear as if it were sent from the US Postal Service (USPS). The email message came with a random digit and used a jpg image file to deliver the message. What set these emails apart from others is that they delivered Oficla Trojan. The malicious file attached to the message was reported to be Dropper/Malware.178176.AB. Opening the file will download a rogue antivirus from a system in Germany.